Meanwhile, the first phase of the scheme, which will see low-income parents receive vouchers that can be exchanged for milk, fruit or vegetables, will be launched in Devon and Cornwall on Monday (Nursery World, 17 February 2005).
The Department of Health's consultation on draft regulations outlined the decision to expand the universal provision of milk for children up to the age of five in LEA and Ofsted-registered daycare to include either milk or a piece of fruit. But responses to the consultation show that there is strong support for providing both fruit and milk in nurseries.
Sally Eaton, manager for schools and nurseries for the Centre for British Teachers, said, 'Who makes the decision? The nursery or the parent? Both foods have different nutritional values. I think our parents would want to have both - even if it means paying slightly higher fees.'
Rita Sutton, director for regional operations at the Pre-School Learning Alliance, said, 'The heading "free entitlements" will not make any difference to Alliance settings, as we'll continue to offer milk, and as good practice, we'll offer healthy snacks. Although there is the free entitlement to milk, we'll still have to provide the fruit and vegetables out of our own funding.'
Respondents also criticised the age-based cut-off point for the free entitlements. Under the proposals, a child who turns five and is still in daycare will stop receiving milk or fruit.
Ms Sutton said, 'We would be against stopping the entitlement the moment the child hits five. Some children stay longer in a setting for different reasons - they might have additional needs. We would want to accommodate all children.'
The consultation also sought views on the most appropriate method of payment for the provision of milk or fruit in nurseries.
Olive Glass, marketing manager for Asquith Nurseries, said, 'We currently get a third of a pint free per child per day. We track it and claim it back each quarter. This works well.'
The DoH said the timetable for publishing the regulations will depend on the outcome of the evaluation of phase one. The next phase - the full roll-out of Healthy Start in England, Scotland and Wales - is planned for 2006.
See www.doh.gov.uk.